After a wildfire
Recovery is a process, not a single step. These calm, practical guides walk through what to do after a California wildfire, from the first hours to insurance, documentation, housing, and where to find help. This is recovery guidance, not legal advice.
The complete guide The California Wildfire Recovery Handbook Eight in depth chapters, written from official California and federal sources, covering safe re-entry, your insurance claim, documenting losses, FEMA and state aid, housing and money, health and family, rebuilding, and how to understand your legal options. Open the handbookJump to a chapter
The First 72 Hours
Safe re-entry, the people to call first, and the actions that protect your health and your claim.
Your Insurance Claim
How a California claim works, from the first call through advances, your contents list, and disputes.
Documenting Losses
Rebuild proof of what you owned, room by room, so your claim reflects the full value of your home.
FEMA & Disaster Aid
What federal and state programs do, who they are for, and how they fit alongside your insurance.
Housing, Money & Staying Afloat
Temporary housing, additional living expenses, and the money moves that buy you time.
Rebuilding or Relocating
Permits, contractors, underinsurance, and avoiding the fraud that follows disasters.
Health & Family
Smoke, ash, and water safety, plus the mental health support that helps a family steady itself.
Understanding Litigation
How a claim and a lawsuit differ, the theories of responsibility, and whether talking to a lawyer fits your situation.